ECOWAS defence chiefs are attending a two-day assembly in Accra to fine-tune particulars of a possible navy operation in Niger.
West African navy chiefs are holding a second day of talks in Ghana on Friday, making ready for a attainable armed intervention in Niger after a coup eliminated President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26.
The Financial Group of West African States (ECOWAS) agreed a day earlier to activate a “standby pressure” as a final resort to revive democracy in Niger after generals toppled and detained Bazoum.
ECOWAS defence chiefs are having a two-day assembly within the Ghanaian capital, Accra, to fine-tune particulars of a possible navy operation to revive Bazoum if persevering with negotiations with coup leaders fail.
“Let nobody be unsure that if all the things else fails the valiant forces of West Africa, each the navy and the civilian parts, are able to reply to the decision of responsibility,” Abdel-Fatau Musah, an ECOWAS commissioner for political affairs and safety, advised the assembly on Thursday.
“In the meantime, we’re nonetheless giving diplomacy an opportunity and the ball is within the court docket of the junta.”
Musah added that except for Cape Verde and nations led by navy governments, all different nations within the 15-member bloc are able to contribute to the regional pressure.
The defence chiefs are anticipated to announce any subsequent steps at a closing ceremony at 4pm (16:00 GMT).
Bazoum, whose 2021 election was a landmark in Niger’s troubled history, has been held along with his household on the president’s official residence because the coup, with rising worldwide concern over his situations in detention.
ECOWAS leaders say they need to act after Niger turned the fourth West African nation since 2020 to undergo a coup, following Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea.
The Sahel area is combating armed teams linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS) and frustration over the violence has partially prompted the navy takeovers.
Particulars of the Niger operation haven’t been launched and analysts say any intervention can be politically and militarily dangerous, particularly for regional powerhouse Nigeria.
Nigeria is already struggling to comprise violence from a number of armed teams at house, and leaders within the nation’s north have warned about spillover from Niger throughout the border if there’s an intervention.
ECOWAS troops have intervened in different emergencies since 1990, together with civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Ivory Coast, Benin and Nigeria are anticipated to contribute troops to a Niger mission.
Niger’s coup leaders have warned in opposition to any navy assaults and defiantly threatened to cost Bazoum with treason. However they’ve additionally stated they’re open to talks.
The military-led governments in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso have additionally stated an intervention in Niger can be seen as a declaration of struggle in opposition to them.
Russia and the USA have urged a diplomatic resolution to the disaster.
ECOWAS has already utilized commerce and monetary sanctions on Niger whereas France, Germany and the USA have suspended support programmes.
Germany has additionally stated it desires the European Union to impose sanctions on the coup leaders, saying that Overseas Minister Annalena Baerbock had held talks along with her French and US counterparts.
